Pondering

So Christmas went well in our 3 Churches - I think!  I managed to get away for a few nights to see my family, which was great.   And now a new year - St Luke tells us that Mary was pondering everything in her heart after the shepherds left. 
Maybe she was not the only one.... Here is the meditation I wrote for our Carol Service.

NATIVITY

Take your rest now, my beloved Mary, take your rest.

I will hold your baby – our baby – safe in my arms here  

in the dark of the night.

It only seems yesterday

that you told me your news back home in Nazareth

How can I tell you how sorry I am that I...?

I will never ever leave you again.      

I will look after you

both

until my dying day

I promise you, Mary

Why has God done this, my darling?

Why has he chosen us?   

I know why you...

but why me?

Look at Him, cradled in my arms.

So beautiful, so wonderful.  

So innocent.

How can it be that this little one is so...   

How can Emmanu-el  

God-with-us

Be...

with...

us?

I’m sorry that this had to happen far from Nazareth

It’s my fault, I know. 

My ancestor David -

maybe it’s his fault really.

I’m so sorry that we couldn’t find a room

and the little one arrived here of all places,

with the animals.  

Look at the stars,

oh light of my life,

shining on us tonight.

Can it be that this little fellow

had something to do with all

this? 

Look at that big star in the east.

I’ve never noticed that before

so beautiful...

And everything is still, nothing to disturb you

except a few voices far away.

Listen, Mary,

I think it’s some of the shepherds from the hillsides.

What can they be doing in the village at this time of night?

Can it be, my Mary, that

here

tonight

God has come to us

has come among us

OUR baby? 

Have the heavens up there met the earth below

Has the Lord come to meet His people

our baby? 

How can the Lord who needs nothing

now rest in my calloused carpenter’s hands

and need my poor love and care?

Rest now, Mary,

because we don’t know what lies ahead.

But I’ll get you home as soon as I can,

you and the baby.

Let me sit down here beside you,

put my arm around you,

and together we will look after this new little life.

Take your rest, my darling wife

take your rest my two precious loves.

I am here

I will look after you

both.